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NYC Transit head Rich Davey on short list for top transportation job in Massachusetts


Head of NYC Transit Rich Davey is on a short list for a top transportation job in Massaschusetts.

The man in charge of MTA subways and buses was named Thursday as one of two candidates to take over Massport, the Massachusetts port authority.

Davey — who previously chaired Massport’s board and is said to be close with Mass. Gov. Maura Healey and various state transportation officials — is competing for the top spot against Eulois Cleckley, the head of Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works.

Members of Massport’s board are expected to meet with Davey and Cleckley early next week, and make a selection by the end of next week.

“Both individuals are talented transportation professionals, and both have the experience and qualifications to lead Massport,” agency chairwoman Patricia Jacobs said Thursday.

Davey has helmed the city’s subway and bus systems for two years, taking over for interim leader Craig Cipriano in 2022.

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NYCT Head Rich Davey stands next to the new R211s during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the 207th St. - Inwood stop Friday. (Evan Simko-Bednarski / New York Daily News)

NYCT Head Rich Davey stands next to the new R211s during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the 207th St. – Inwood stop Friday. (Evan Simko-Bednarski / New York Daily News)

Cipriano was the second interim in the role after the tumultuous 2020 departure of NYCT head Andy Byford, who chafed under the thumb of then-governor Andrew Cuomo.

Sources told the Daily News this week that the MTA re-organization that pushed out Byford has done much to diminish the power of the role for his successors, Davey included.

“I very much appreciate that I have been recommended to the MassPort board as a finalist to be their next CEO, an amazing opportunity in my hometown,” Davey said Thursday in a statement.

“However, serving as President of New York City Transit — working every day for our six million customers and 47,000 transit employees with critical and consistent support from Governor Hochul and MTA Chair Lieber — is a privilege and one of the best jobs in the transit world,” he said.

“I will continue to push forward to deliver faster, cleaner, and safer service for subway and bus customers every day I serve in this role.”

Davey had tried to tamp down rumors he was in the running earlier this week.

“I am lucky enough to have this job which I enjoy very much,” he said when asked about Massport Tuesday. “I do get calls from time to time, because I’ve got a great team that makes me look good.”

Should Davey get the Massport nod, transit sources said he isn’t expected to leave immediately, and could stay in his NYCT role through June.

Multiple sources cited the current senior vice president of subways, Demetrius Crichlow, as a leading candidate to take over as interim, should Davey depart.

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